This year is an off year for South African avocados, bearing in mind that last year exports were 50,000, these export volumes are good. The growing season has been favourable. There were some isolated hailstorms during fruit development, which fortunately did not have a major impact on the overall crop.
Demand has also been good, South Africa ships mainly to the EU and Donkin said bearing in mind the high volumes, also from Peru, the market, on the whole, has been good. The country ships small volumes to the Far and Middle East, Donkin expects this to increase marginally in the coming years as they are growing markets, but there will be no huge increase in volumes destined for these markets in the near future.
The Rand has weakened, meaning more positive returns for the growers. This is good news, but it has been counter balanced by higher shipping costs.
The last South African avocados will reach Europe around week 41, with the last big volumes arriving around week 39.
"All in all this has been a fairly positive season for the South African growers," concludes Donkin.
For more information:Derek Donkin
SAAGA
Tel: +27 15 307 3676
Email: [email protected]
www.avocado.co.za
